Frameworks Youth Suicide Prevention - Warning Signs
Warning Signs For Suicide
- Difficulties in school (especially dramatic decrease in academic performance)
- Pervasive, exaggerated or inappropriate feelings of sadness and/or anger
- Drug or alcohol abuse, especially if the young person has not been involved in this previously or if experimentation turns into habitual use
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Sudden changes in weight (either gains or loss)
- Loss of religious or spiritual beliefs
- Persistent physical complaints
- Restless, agitation, anxiety, aggression
- Feeling like a failure/worthless
- Overwhelming guilt or shame
- Hopelessness or helplessness
- Pessimism
- "Roller Coaster moodiness; more often and for longer periods than usual
- Difficulty concentrating
- Preoccupation with death (often expressed through music or poetry)
Imminent (Late) Warning Signs
- Talking of suicide, death
- Isolating selfo from friends and family
- Felling life is meaningless
- Putting life in order
- Picking fights, arguing
- Refusing help, feeling beyond help
- Sudden improvement in mood after being down or withdrawn
- Neglect of appearance, hygiene
- Dropping out of activities
- Increasing hopelessness and helplessness
- Giving away favorite possessions
- Verbal Clues (see below)
- A detailed plan for how, when, and where
- Obtaining a weapon
- Suicide gestures (e.g. overdose, cutting)
Direct Verbal Cues
- I wish I were dead
- I'm going to end it all
- I've decided to kill myself
- I believe in suicide
- If such and such doesn't happen, I'll Kill myself
Less Direct Verbal Cues
- You will be better off without me
- I'm so tired of it all
- What's the point of living?
- Here, take this. I won't be needing it anymore
- Pretty soon you won't have to worry about me.
- Goodbye, we all have to say goodbye
- How do you become an organ donor?
- Who cares if I am dead anyway?
If someone you know is display warning signs, or you are worried they may be at risk for suicide, DON'T WORRY ALONE! Ask them directly if they are thinking of hurting themselves and/or connect them with professional help. Call your primary care provider, community mental health center, school guidance counselor, clergy etc. Don't wait!
